Prairie Dressing for the Future—The Definitive Guide to Get the Look

If your fashion feed has been overpopulated by tomato girl summer looks or the mob wife aesthetic for too long, maybe it's time to revisit something more romantic. Although prairie dressing has been around for awhile, today’s current interpretation still finds a way to add a few new twists and surprises to our wardrobes. Today’s prairie dressing trend is less Little House on the Prairie and more modern, with underpinning-inspired ideas galore and plenty of lace, frills, and delicate trims to keep things interesting—with a hint of gingham and florals in the mix.

Prairie dressing for summer is all about easy pieces that can be worn through the blistering heat without a hitch. Flowy, cotton dresses with corset or smock waists and full midi skirts will billow in the breeze, and pair back to simple, leather sandals perfectly. Soft camisoles and sleeveless tops trimmed with broderie anglaise feel fresh and lightweight enough for long days in the sun, while gauzy, white dresses, inspired by a vintage lingerie drawer, are exactly what we want to wear all summer long—whether that be on vacation or our everyday errands. Cotton pointelle in everything from tanks to T-shirts and thin cardigans should be your new, go-to basic for summer, when you are looking to add a little refinement to any look. They work equally as well with your favorite jeans, as they do with all the cute, flowy skirts we included, too.

From floral frocks to lace-trimmed blouses, keep reading to find the best prairie dressing pieces that prove romance is certainly not dead.

The Vogue-Approved List of Prairie Pieces

• The Corset Dress: Reformation Balia linen sundress, $278
• The Flowy Top: Dôen Vera lace-trimmed sleeveless top, $178
• The Ruffle Day Dress: Rixo Patsy lace-trimmed pleated cotton midi dress, $345
• The Pointelle Tee: Cou Cou The Baby Henley top, $82
• The Lacey Midi Skirt: Ulla Johnson Cressida silk lace paneled midi skirt, $690
• The Work Appropriate White Dress: LoveShackFancy Edie midi shirtdress, $325
• The Broderie Anglaise Tank: Mango embroidered cotton top, $40
• The Floral Frock: Hill House Home The Ophelia dress, $198

Dresses with a Waistline

Corseting, smocking, and full skirts are a must when it comes to nailing the prairie dress trend. Look for plenty of charming details, such as ribbons and bows at the neckline, tiered skirts with piping, and a romantic puff sleeve or two. Forgo the cowboy boot and pair these with a minimalist sandal to keep them from looking too at home on the range.

Floaty Tops

Lean into your dreamy side, with light-as-air camisoles and sleeveless tops that go the distance for a long day in the heat. These are all made from cotton, silk, or linen, so you will feel fresh, no matter what records the temperatures are breaking. Dainty spaghetti straps and embroidered detailing only sweeten the deal.

Airy White Frocks

Inspired by vintage nightgowns, these white dresses have all the design elements of an old-fashioned undergarment but in more wearable silhouettes that can take you to work, al fresco dinners, and vacation—all at the same time. Be sure to look for styles that won’t stick to sweaty limbs and plenty of subtle frills, ruffles, to make them stand out.

Pointelle Tees

The prairie trend is not solely about fluid pieces. Incorporating a pointelle tank top, t-shirt, or cardigan is the modern way to do basics. The technique has that homespun feel, but in shapes that have a slight ‘90s aesthetic, these are downright cool. Pair with your favorite jeans or a fluid skirt to really make them feel modern.

Fluid Skirts

Of course, you can’t go wrong with a gauzy, cotton maxi option but we also are encouraging play with some slightly unexpected silhouettes. We love a gingham A-line moment, a floral slip skirt, and anything with lace, whether that be an embellishment or full-on fabrication. Pair with either a floaty top or pointelle tee from our list above and you are good to go.